Illinois Urban Legends That Still Terrify Locals

Urban legends are a unique type of folklore, often involving mysterious creatures or spooky tales passed down through generations. Illinois certainly isn’t shy when it comes to eerie stories, and one legend in particular is known across the state as one of the spookiest of all.

The Legend of the Big Muddy Monster

This legend traces back to Southern Illinois, it’s the tale of the Big Muddy Monster. The story began in the summer of 1973, when locals reported sightings of a creature described as being eight feet tall, covered in matted, muddy hair, and giving off a terrible odor.

Some even claimed to have discovered large tracks and slimy residue left behind. Throughout that summer, police were called multiple times by residents who swore they saw the monster lurking in the woods. Yet, whenever officers arrived to investigate, the creature was nowhere to be found. Witnesses also reported hearing an eerie, high-pitched scream echoing through the night.

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Quincy’s Creepy Levee Walker Legend

Of course, Quincy has its own urban legends, too. In fact, one of the most well-known in the state is right here in the Gem City, the story of the Levee Walker.

This chilling tale dates back to the construction of the levee. As the legend goes, a husband discovered that one of his co-workers was having an affair with his wife. Depending on who tells the story, either the husband or the co-worker ended up dead, and supposedly buried beneath the levee.

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According to local lore, if you find yourself walking the levee at night, you might encounter a glowing ball of light. Many believe this is the restless spirit of the murdered man, still searching for help to finally lay his body to rest.